Writer, actor given provincial honour

Manitoba's highest honour was bestowed Friday upon writer and actor Billy Merasty for his outstanding achievement in the arts.

Premier Greg Selinger inducted him into the Order of the Buffalo Hunt at a ceremony at the Manitoba legislative building.

"Billy Merasty exemplifies the Manitoba spirit of creativity, hard work and commitment to social justice," Selinger said.

"On behalf of Manitobans, I am pleased to honour Billy while he is back in his home province performing the lead role in a critically acclaimed and important play."

Merasty is in Winnipeg this week as the lead actor in the play, Where the Blood Mixes, winner of the 2009 Governor General's Award for drama.

The play tackles Canada's painful history of residential schools and the so-called '60s scoop, referring to the adoption of First Nation and Metis children in Canada between the years of 1960 and the mid-1980s.

The show closes Saturday afternoon at the Prairie Theatre Exchange.

Merasty's film and television credits include Le Confessional, Exotica, Liberty Street, The Red Green Show, Moose TV and Stardom and the locally produced movie, Elijah.

He has also written two plays: Fireweed (1992) and For Godly and Divinia (2001).

The Order of the Buffalo Hunt was founded in 1957 to recognize the outstanding and distinctive contributions of leaders in areas such as politics, business, sports and entertainment.

Other notable people who have received the award include aboriginal leaders Dorothy Nepinak Betz and Mary Richard, artist Leo Mol and entertainer Neil Young.

Earlier this week, Selinger also awarded inducted Olympian Jon Montgomery into the Order.